The Lost Valley area of Buffalo National River is set to reopen this week/NPS file shot of Buffalo River and Big Bluff

After months of work to reduce the odds of flooding and to improve visitor safety and area accessibility, the Lost Valley area of Buffalo National River in Arkansas is set to reopen to the public on Thursday.

Since the closure was instituted in December, the Lost Valley entrance road was rerouted and a new parking area was built outside of the immediate flood zone of Clark Creek. This relocation is expected to reduce sedimentation of Clark Creek during heavy rain events, which should improve water quality in the Buffalo River less than a mile downstream.

Other additions include an Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)-compliant parking area, trail, and access road. These features will make the Lost Valley experience more accessible for visitors of all abilities.

Buffalo National River will offer a ranger-guided hike at Lost Valley on Saturday, April 20, to celebrate the grand reopening. Participants can meet at the trailhead in the new parking lot at 1 p.m. Pets are not permitted on the Lost Valley Trail.